After celebrating in 2007 the 90th anniversary, Gitzo continues to recall the golden ages of photography with an exclusive celebratory Vintage collection. This unique collection consists of two kits and it is dedicated to really affectionate photographers. It is a genuine replica of Gitzo Seventies supports, that in those days, like today the Gitzo 6X carbon fiber tripods, represented the cutting edge and most advanced supports in the market. The Gitzo classic logos, the old style graphics and finishing and the stylish details, make these items the quintessence of history and emotion. From a technical point of view, these tripods are a phenomenal combination of old and new features that makes them incredibly versatile.

The upper casting configuration provides a great compactness and a great stability of the upper disc that sits directly on the large casting top end. The two section telescopic column, a key Gitzo innovation in those days, allows for a convenient height adjustment while maintaining a small foot print. These “old days” smart features are combined to the latest and most advanced Gitzo technologies, like G-Lock, Ground Level Set, Anti Leg Rotation, the new 1,2mm Aluminum tube, Power Disc and PTFE treatment for the heads. Both kits come with a vintage bag, a stylish and well designed carrying solutions which meets Gitzo’s tough standards in terms of functionality and attention to details. The bag design and the materials used are inspired to the 60s and 70s golf and sport bags. The classic Gitzo logo enriches and gives an “old fashioned” flavour, consistent with the genuine Gitzo vintage spirit.

The bag shoulder strap can also be used directly on the tripod as a smart carrying solution, embedded in the kit for additional use flexibility. The Vintage tripods are in fact provided with two rings compatible with the shoulder strap clips for a fast and convenient snap-on action. The bag features a side pocket, in genuine vintage style, sized to fit most of compact cameras in the market and any other accessory you might want to carry with you.

The Vintage collection kits are available in Series 1 and 2, four section compact size and include a smart Gitzo display cleaner and a convenient vintage anti dust bag for storage and packing.

Lexington, KY, Tuesday, January 31, 2012 — DeluxGear announces the development of 3 new Lens Guards for large lenses. It’s teaming with Kickstarter to fund Lens Guards to fit lenses from 3.6 inches (8.6 cm) in diameter all the way to 6.6 inches (15.8 cm).

The new XL, XX-L, and Jumbo Lens Guards will protect 200mm through 800mm prime lenses from Canon, Nikon, Sigma and others. They will also cover popular zoom lenses, like the Nikon 14-24mm, 80-400mm and 200-400mm, the Sigma 80-400mm, 100-300mm, 50-500mm, and 300-800 mm, and the Tamron 200-500mm.

“These lenses cost thousands of dollars, and yet there have been no solutions to protect them while on your camera....until now,” states Tom Nickell, the CEO of DeluxGear. “Anyone who has one of these larger lenses, including outdoor and sports photographers, will find Lens Guards to be an inexpensive form of insurance.”

The larger size Lens Guards offer the same quality and protection as DeluxGear’s current Lens Guard line. Each is a padded cover that fits snuggly over the end of the lens to protect lenses and filters and help avoid costly trips to the repair shop. The cushiony, shock-resistant inner core is made of 0.25” (6mm) thick closed-cell neoprene and is encased in a tough 0.08” (2mm) Santoprene outer cover. This powerful combination absorbs impact and prevents scrapes, scratches, and dents to lenses. According to Lens Guard inventor, Michael Dowell, “It is like the bumper of a car, providing more protection than lens caps, filters, or hoods.“

Kickstarter is the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects. Anyone can become a “Backer”, pledging any amount for projects they support. Backers of this DeluxGear Kickstarter project can choose from several reward levels, and can receive limited edition Lens Guards at a price less than they will be sold for after the product launch. The funding goal of $8,000 must be reached by March 5th.

“Customers regularly ask for larger size Lens Guards,” according to Nickell. “Our designs are nearly complete. With Kickstarter, we can prepare for production. This project is engaging the photo community to get these Lens Guards into the market so photographers can begin using them!”

Pledges raised through Kickstarter will go towards molds, dies, raw materials, and completing the first production run. The Lens Guards will be Made in the USA.

For more information on the campaign, or to make a pledge, go to Kickstarter at: http://kck.st/w7Cze3

About DeluxGear

DeluxGear is a Lexington, Kentucky-based manufacturer and marketer of innovative camera accessories. DeluxGear was founded in May of 2007 by Michael and Sandra Dowell. Michael is a professional photographer and inventor of the patented Lens Cradle TM, Lens Guard TM, and PinPoint TM. DeluxGear sells to professional and amateur photographers all over the world.

I have not made it a secret (to you or Canon) that I want a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 IS L USM Lens. With today's announcement of the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens, my hopes for such a lens in the near future are certainly diminshed.

If you want IS and don't need the f/2.8 aperture to stop action in low light and to maximize background blur within this focal length range, consider getting the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens.

A big question is: Will the 24-70 L II be worth the $930.00 ($1,030 after instant rebate) price premium over the 24-70 I ($2,299.00 vs. $1,369.00/$1,269.00)? Canon has been turning out some excellent zoom L lenses recently and my hopes are high that this will be another one of them. My prediction is that the II will be worth the price premium - just as the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens was worth its premium price over the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens.

It is normal for a new lens model to be priced significantly higher than the previous model. But when the price disparity is this high, the used price of the old model can actually go up instead of down. I've heard from several of you hoping that a copy of the old model might be had at a much reduced price. That the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens price (both new and used) is not going to drop is my (wild) guess.

I have submitted a request to Canon USA PR to receive a call from a Canon technical expert (such as Chuck Westfall) to answer some questions I have (the protocol that Canon USA now requires media outlets to follow), but that call has not yet be returned. I will be sure to update you with what I learn.

The new Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens and Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens look interesting. At their relatively high price point, I'm not sure why Canon did not choose to make them "L". These small and light lenses could be very useful. Their performance will of course determine how useful they will actually be.